Right now I’m writing Blood Ties, the second book in the Blood Promise series. It wasn’t until recently that I realized I needed to name a certain character. The thought hadn’t occurred to me when I wrote the scene, since he gets murdered on the first page. However, he will be referred to later in the book, so I really need to name him.

That’s where you guys come in. Want to get in on naming one of my characters? It’s simple, really. All you have to do are two steps:

After signing up for my newsletter, send me an email with ‘Name’ in the Subject to tonyakerrigan@comcast.net and tell me what you think this character’s name should be and why. At the end of January, I’ll compile the list of names and have my Insiders vote on the one they like the best.

So, here we are to Chapter 4 of Blood Ties. You’ll notice I have a word blanked out; that’s for those of you who haven’t read Blood Promise. I didn’t want to give out any spoilers for those of you who still need to read the book.

Chapter 4 First Paragraphs

“Why are we taking the elevator?” Crossing my arms over my chest, I blew my bangs out of my eyes and leaned against the side wall next to the control panel. A quick glance at my watch said it was already past two-thirty. My stomach growled, reminding me I’d need to fuel up soon. As a ________, I tended to burn calories at a fast rate. “It’d be faster to run upstairs.”

Ryk pulled out his set of house keys. “Because this is the fastest way down.”

“Down? You mean…there’s a basement?” I’d lived in this house for months now and never knew it had a basement. How did I not know that?

He inserted the garage key into a lock, twisted, and flipped a panel up to reveal a keypad. “You’ll see.”

My jaw dropped. “There’s a secret keypad? What else does this house have that I don’t know about?”

Hmmm….what is in the basement? Any guesses?

And here we are to Chapter 5 of Blood Promise

Enveloped in the scent of sandalwood, musk, and leather, either I was lulled to sleep or passed out as he carried me through the park.

Who’s carrying Tora through the park? I guess you’ll have to read the book in order to find out!

And don’t forget about the Blood Promise merch available now!

To get your hands on this baby, the cost is $18.99 domestic or $19.99 (USD) international through Paypal. Shipping and handling is already included in the price. You’ll then need to email me at orders.tonya.kerrigan@gmail.com with ‘Purse Order’ in the subject line, and send me your name, address, and paypal email so I can link up payment with the correct name and address. If you don’t do this, I can’t send you the purse and your money will be refunded.

In a previous post I mentioned my current WIP Blood Ties and how Tora would be led down a dark path by the bad guy. Well, guess what? It’s not just the bad guy that’s going to be leading her down that path but someone she knows and actually likes. Someone who forces her to make a choice…kill or be killed. The victim is someone she put in the position he’s currently in..so what will she do? Kill him to save her life, be the martyr and let herself die, or maybe there’s a third choice in there…a third choice that’s no better than the other two but a choice that might let her live to see another day and possibly end up saving the life of the victim too.

What a fantastic book, Great story line, Hope Tora’s adventures continue, Just loved Ryk, hope he turns out to be Tora’s hero – Amazon.uk 5 star review

What a fantastic, interesting read. Love the characters, great sense of humour. So sorry to reach the end….looking for more. Very unusual story line …who is good and who isn’t….you have to read to find out. Enjoy. – Amazon.ca 5 star review

So here we are, at Chapter 2 in my #WIP Blood Ties. Tora is on her way back home from Odin’s place in Valhalla. If only I could actually travel like her. #amwriting

Every atom in my body seemed to stretch and squeeze through a tube of space and time. I still wasn’t used to teleporting, and it was a bit disorienting as my cells unscrambled and came back together. When my feet touched the floor, the darkness receded to the morning light and the library came into focus.

“Well, look who’s back,” Kaige said as I materialized in front of him. Coffee cup in one hand, newspaper in the other, he sat on the leather sofa in only his pajama pants. “I didn’t think Odin would’ve let you leave so soon.”

My eyes roamed, appreciating the lines of his body and his dark wavy hair that fell past the shoulders, framing a rugged jaw that currently held yesterday’s stubble.

After being stretched like a rubber band, I tried to compact myself by squatting down and squeezing my knees to my chest. “I convinced him to let the Valkyrie come here to train.”

His brow rose. “Really? Where?”

Trying to keep a straight face, I said, “Ryk’s.”

Kaige laughed. “I hope you talked to him first.”

“Nope. He doesn’t have a clue.”

Hmm…I wonder what Ryk will think about having a bunch of Valkyrie descending on his property? What do you think?

So, on to Chapter 3 of Blood Promise.

I turned my head to the left and casually tucked my hair behind my ear. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him.

Ryk stood a ways back at the corner edge of Hershey’s.

So he is stalking me. Once I got to the salon, I sauntered to the gleaming glass French doors and took hold of the brass handle. Making eye contact with him, I blew him a kiss.

His lips quirked up.

“See ya later alligator,” I whispered.

His smile widened in response, and he whipped out his phone.

As I pulled the door open, a tinkling chime signaled my entrance. A couple steps in, my phone beeped a text. When I looked at the display, my heart stopped; it was from Ryk. Swallowing hard, I opened the text.

In a while crocodile, it read.

Holy shit. Not only did he have a sense of humor, but either he was exceptional at lip reading or he had bat ears. Bat ears, I bet.

This is one of my fav scenes showing Ryk’s humor and the easy way he flirts. 🙂 And I bet you’re wondering…considering his bat ears, maybe he’ll already know about Tora’s plans to use his place as a training compound before she gets to ask…or more like tell him? I guess you’ll have to wait until Blood Ties comes out to know! (cue evil laugh here)

Since I’m working on Blood Ties, the second book in the Blood Promise series, I’m letting you guys see my writing process and get sneak peeks of the first paragraphs of each chapter along with the first paragraphs of Blood Promise. Each week, I’ll put up a new chapter beginning. So, here goes…the first paragraph for the Prologue of Blood Ties and the first chapter of Blood Promise. #WIP #Blood Ties #Blood Promise

Prologue

The large wolf quietly stole through the small house, scenting the air to find his latest victim. It didn’t take long—he just followed the scent of sex and booze. At least he got some action before he dies tonight.

Ooohhh…who’s dying tonight??? How do you like that? Murder on the very first page!

Under the rising sun in Grant Park, I bent down into a calf stretch, reminding me once again I’d forgotten to put underwear on. I’d gotten to bed just a few hours earlier after spending a night out with Mia at a new club, Z’s, only to wake up after falling from my bed onto the floor, terror seizing my breath while blood rushed through my ears and my heart galloped out of my chest. It’d taken a few heart-stopping minutes to realize it’d only been a nightmare. I couldn’t remember much other than the primal fear of being chased by a beast with a desire to rip out my throat as I screamed for my life, and then relief at being saved by a man in black. It’d left me unsettled enough I couldn’t go back to sleep, so here I was. At six in the morning. Apparently trying to run off my dream.

So, Blood Promise will go live on October 1! Everything is set to go. I could release it earlier, but I’d like to try to get the paperback to release at the same time, which I’m still waiting on the proof copy. I can’t wait! Thing 4 said I should frame it. Hmm….I just might. It’s up for preorder on Amazon, plus B&N, iBooks, Kobo, and 24 Symbols at Tonya Kerrigan, a number of German channels through Tolino, and will soon be on Scribd and Page Foundry. The first chapter is on Goodreads, so go read the first chapter! It’s a lot easier to search for me by name since there are a bunch of titles called Blood Promise, but only one Tonya Kerrigan!

If anyone would like to review Blood Promise, send me an email to tonya (dot) kerrigan (at) gmail (dot) com along with your name and the name of your blog. I can send ARCs in mobi to your kindle email. Thanks!

With a murderous beast on her heels and a conniving daemon who wants to use her for his own means, Tora Hayden’s main objective is to keep herself and those she cares about alive.

After meeting an enigmatic businessman who possibly suffers from florid psychosis, Tora is propelled into the world of the supernatural. She’s forced to believe the mythical world exists when she’s brutally attacked by a savage fiend intent on annihilating her family line for reasons unbeknownst to her. With the assistance of the psychotic businessman, along with a gorgeous manwhore whom Tora swore to never date but ends up doing just that, she discovers her seventy-years-dead great-grandmother was actually an otherworldly warrioress.

In an effort to beat the murderous beast at its own game, Tora chooses to take on her deceased great-grandmother’s powers to gain immortality and supernatural strength.

During the transfer of powers, something goes wrong: she unwittingly releases a daemon who’s been cursed to his own realm for enslaving the fiend and working towards enslaving all factions. Now, she not only has a murderous beast on her heels but a conniving daemon who’s loose and wants to use her for his own means.